Absorbent article with absorbent core

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; and a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. The article also includes a waist feature joined to the chassis a waist region and having a portion extending longitudinally outboard of the chassis in said waist region. The backsheet has a barrier layer having a maximum length, LBS. The absorbent core has absorbent material and a maximum length, LCW, and wherein LCW is substantially the same as LBS. The absorbent material is disposed in an absorbent material deposition area. The absorbent material deposition area has a maximum length, LAB, wherein LAB is about 90% or greater of LBS. The first absorbent area lateral edge is disposed a longitudinal distance, D1, from the first barrier lateral edge, wherein D1 is 5% or less of LBS.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to absorbent articles, in particular absorbentarticles having absorbent cores. The articles may have improvedfunctional and/or communicative properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable absorbent articles for receiving and retaining bodilydischarges such as urine or feces are well known in the art. Examples ofthese include disposable diaper(s), training pants and adultincontinence articles. Typically, disposable diapers comprise a liquidpervious topsheet that faces the wearer's body, a liquid imperviousbacksheet that faces the wearer's clothing and an absorbent coreinterposed between the liquid pervious topsheet and the backsheet.

An important component of disposable absorbent articles is the absorbentcore. The absorbent core typically includes superabsorbent polymermaterial, such as hydrogel-forming polymer material, also referred to asabsorbent gelling material, AGM, or superabsorbent polymer, SAP. Thissuperabsorbent polymer material ensures that large amounts of bodilyfluids, e.g. urine, can be absorbed by the absorbent article during itsuse and be locked away, thus providing low rewet and good skin dryness.

However, given manufacturing constraints, manufacturers to date havestruggled with maximizing the absorbent area of disposable articles.Indeed, absorbent cores must be fashioned and placed in a way that willnot slow down the production line and/or cause undesired cutting of thecore and/or improper positioning, or the like. For example, aftercutting the individual absorbent cores from a continuous web ofabsorbent cores, each individual core may have to be precisely placed indesired positions on advancing topsheet or backsheet webs. In somemanufacturing configurations, the speeds of the individual absorbentcores will need to be increased or decreased before placement on thetopsheet or backsheet webs. In some instances, adhesives will also needto be applied in discrete zones on the advancing webs, requiringrelatively frequent on/off cycling of adhesive applicators. To helpensure quality production, the individual absorbent core placement mayneed to be closely monitored and controlled with relatively high speedsensor and associated controller technologies. As such, the machineryrequired to precisely cut, place, control, and/or bond the individualcores to advancing webs may add complexities and expense to amanufacturing line while at the same time reducing reliability. Inaddition, the aforementioned challenges may be exacerbated in absorbentarticle assembly processes operating at relatively high speed productionrates and/or configured to assemble relatively small sized absorbentarticles. Addressing these issues in one type of product may requiredifferent parameters and controls than when addressing the same issuesin another type of product.

Further, one way that manufacturers balance providing quality productswith maintaining lower production costs is by using the same componentsin different types of articles. For instance, while training pants andtaped diapers are constructed differently and have certain functionaldifferences, a manufacturer may use the same absorbent core in bothtypes of articles rather than creating a unique absorbent core for eachtype of article constructed. Indeed, creation of different basecomponents results in more production costs (e.g., additional lines,machinery, production time, etc.). As such, manufacturers may use acomponent (e.g., an absorbent core) in more than one type of article byresizing, repositioning or otherwise altering the components (orportions of the article) for incorporation of the component into thevarious articles. However, such resizing, repositioning and/or alteringresults in increased complexities in manufacturing, such as additionalprocesses steps.

Further still, in attempting to increase the absorbent footprint ofabsorbent articles, manufacturers have had to compromise other features.For instance, channels which may be void of absorbent material butenhance comfort and fit may be sacrificed for greater absorbency.Likewise, waist features and belts requiring a relatively large area toensure proper fit may be reduced in size in order to increase space forabsorbent material.

Because of the issues faced by manufacturers, absorbent articles oftenhave inefficient use of space and therefore less absorbency thanpossible. Therefore, there is a need for an article that efficientlyutilizes the available space. In addition, there is a need for anarticle that has desirable absorbency while also providing comfortand/or fit. There is also a need for an article with desired absorbencywhile visually assuring the product will perform as desired andproviding a garment-like and/or soft appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent article comprises a first waist region, a second waistregion, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waistregions; and a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline. Thearticle further includes a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheetand an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet.The absorbent core may comprise absorbent material disposed in anabsorbent material deposition area. A waist feature is joined to thechassis in the first and/or second waist region. The waist featureincludes a free portion which extends longitudinally outboard of thechassis in said first and/or second region.

In certain embodiments, the backsheet comprises a barrier layer having amaximum length, L_(BS), extending between a first barrier lateral edgeand a second barrier lateral edge. The absorbent core comprises a corewrap enclosing the absorbent material and having a maximum length,L_(CW). The absorbent material deposition area comprises a maximumlength, L_(AB), extending between a first absorbent area lateral edgeand a second absorbent area lateral edge. L_(CW) may be substantiallythe same as L_(BS), and L_(AB) may be about 90% or greater of L_(BS).The first absorbent area lateral edge may be disposed a longitudinaldistance, D1, from the first barrier lateral edge, wherein D1 is 5% orless of L_(BS).

In further embodiments, the backsheet comprises a barrier layer having amaximum length, L_(BS), extending between a first barrier lateral edgeand a second barrier lateral edge; and the absorbent core comprisesabsorbent material disposed in an absorbent material deposition areahaving a first absorbent area lateral edge and a second absorbent arealateral edge. The first absorbent area lateral edge may be within about50 mm of the first waist edge, and the free portion may comprise alength, E, of at least about 10 mm. The absorbent material may compriseabout 15% or less by weight of cellulosic material.

In some embodiments, the backsheet comprises a barrier layer having abarrier layer area and the absorbent material deposition area comprisesan absorbent area. The absorbent area may be at least about 90% of thebarrier layer area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary absorbent pant according toone nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary absorbent pant precursorstructure according to a nonlimiting embodiment of the presentinvention. The structure is shown in a flat, uncontracted state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2with layers removed to illustrate interior features.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an exemplary absorbentcore in accordance with a nonlimiting embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5-6 are schematic, partial side elevation views of exemplaryembodiments of waist features.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary absorbent pant precursorstructure according to a nonlimiting embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary absorbent articleaccording a nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary absorbent pant precursorstructure according to a nonlimiting embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pant ofFIG. 9 taken along line 9A-9A.

FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pant ofFIG. 9 taken along line 9B-9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Disposable,” in reference to absorbent articles, means that theabsorbent articles are generally not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored or reused as absorbent articles (i.e., they areintended to be discarded after a single use and, preferably, to berecycled, composted or otherwise discarded in an environmentallycompatible manner).

“Absorbent article” refers to devices which absorb and contain bodyexudates and, more specifically, refers to devices which are placedagainst or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and containthe various exudates discharged from the body. Exemplary absorbentarticles include diapers, training pants, pull-on pant-type diapers(i.e., a diaper having a pre-formed waist opening and leg openings suchas illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,487), refastenable diapers orpant-type diapers, incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holdersand liners, feminine hygiene garments such as panty liners, absorbentinserts, and the like. In embodiments, absorbent articles may bedisposable.

“Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relativelocation of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements.“Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearerduring wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” impliesthe element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear thansome other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate tothe wearer's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbentarticle).

“Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicularfrom a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generallyparallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. Directionswithin 45 degrees of the longitudinal direction are considered to be“longitudinal.”

“Lateral” refers to a direction running from a longitudinal edge to anopposing longitudinal edge of the article and generally at a right angleto the longitudinal direction. Directions within 45 degrees of thelateral direction are considered to be “lateral.”

“Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place orposition.

“Joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly securedto another element by affixing the element directly to the other elementand to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured toanother element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) whichin turn are affixed to the other element.

“Film” refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length and width ofthe material far exceed the thickness of the material. Typically, filmshave a thickness of about 0.5 mm or less.

“Water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability ofmaterials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbentarticles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer ora layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected voidspaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to passthrough its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely,the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structurethrough the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urinecannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from naturalforces such as gravity). A layer or a layered structure that iswater-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to watervapor (i.e., may be “vapor-permeable”).

“Elongatable,” “extensible,” or “stretchable” are used interchangeablyand refer to a material that, upon application of a biasing force, canstretch to an elongated length of at least about 110% of its relaxed,original length (i.e. can stretch to 10 percent more than its originallength), without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the appliedforce, shows little recovery, less than about 20% of its elongationwithout complete rupture or breakage as measured by EDANA method20.2-89. In the event such an elongatable material recovers at least 40%of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatablematerial will be considered to be “elastic” or “elastomeric.” Forexample, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100 mm canextend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to alength of at least 130 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 40% recovery). In theevent the material recovers less than 40% of its elongation upon releaseof the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be“substantially non-elastic” or “substantially non-elastomeric”. Forexample, an elongatable material that has an initial length of 100 mmcan extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts toa length of at least 145 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 10% recovery).Elastomeric materials may include elastomeric films (including but notlimited to films derived from rubber and/or other polymeric materials),polyurethane films, elastomeric foams, scrims, elastic nonwovens,synthetic fibers such as LYCRA® and other sheet-like structures.

“Pant” refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waistand leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer's legs intothe leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer'slower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as “closed diapers”,“prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers”, “training pants” and“diaper-pants.”

Absorbent Article

Although examples of the invention are described herein as in referenceto a pant, other forms of absorbent articles (e.g., taped diapers) arewithin the scope of the invention as well.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary absorbent article 10 in the form of apant 12. FIG. 2 illustrates a precursor structure to an absorbent pant12, shown in a flat uncontracted state. As is shown in FIG. 2, theabsorbent article 10 comprises a first waist region 14, a second waistregion 18 and a crotch region 16 disposed between the first and secondwaist regions. The article 10 further includes first waist edge 13 and asecond waist edge 19 substantially opposite the first waist edge 13, andtwo longitudinal edges 17. The waist regions 14 and 18 generallycomprise those portions of the absorbent article 10 which, when worn,encircle the waist of the wearer. The waist regions 14 and 18 mayinclude elastic members such that they gather about the waist of thewearer to provide improved fit and containment. The crotch region 16 isthe portion of the absorbent article 10 which, when the absorbentarticle 10 is worn, is generally positioned between the legs of thewearer.

The article 10 further comprises a longitudinal centerline 100 and alateral centerline 110. In addition, the article 10 comprises a maximumlength, L, extending between the first and second waist edges. In someembodiments, the maximum length is about 600 mm or less, or about 400 mmor less, or from about 200 mm to about 800 mm, reciting for said rangeevery 10 mm increment therein. Lengths herein are measured when thearticle is in a flat uncontracted state. For irregular shapes, where theoutermost points on opposing edges may not be aligned, a maximum lengthis the distance between those outermost points as measured parallel tothe longitudinal centerline. In other words, the maximum length ismeasured as if the outermost points were aligned.

The article 10 also comprises a chassis 20, which may comprise a liquidpermeable topsheet 24, a backsheet 26, and an absorbent core 28 betweenthe topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. The topsheet 24 may be joined tothe core 28 and/or the backsheet 26. The backsheet 26 may be joined tothe core 28 and/or the topsheet 24. It should be recognized that otherstructures, elements, or substrates may be positioned between the core28 and the topsheet 24 and/or backsheet 26. In some embodiments, anacquisition-distribution system 30 is disposed between the topsheet 26and the absorbent core 28.

The chassis 20 may comprise a first lateral chassis edge 21 and a secondlateral chassis edge 22. The chassis may also comprise longitudinalchassis edges 23. For at least a portion of the article, the lateralchassis edges 21, 22 may be conterminous with the longitudinal edges 17of the article.

In certain embodiments, the chassis 20 comprises the main structure ofthe absorbent article 10 with other features added to form the compositeabsorbent article structure. While the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26,and the absorbent core 28 may be assembled in a variety of well-knownconfigurations, absorbent article configurations are described generallyin U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003; 5,151,092; 5,221,274; 5,554,145; 5,569,234;5,580,411; and 6,004,306.

The article 10 may further include a waist feature 32 may be joined tothe chassis 20 in the first and/or second waist region. The waistfeature 32 may extend longitudinally and/or laterally outboard of thechassis in said waist region(s). In further embodiments, the waistfeature 32 comprises a belt 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, thebelt 34 may comprise a front portion 36 disposed in the first waistregion, and a rear portion 38 disposed in the second waist region. Inthe final assembly of the pant 12, the front belt portion 36 may bejoined to the rear belt portion 38 at seams 40, which may be permanentor refastenable. To form the pant 12, the precursor structure may befolded at or about lateral centerline 110 with the topsheet 24 facinginward, and the longitudinal edges of the front 36 and rear 38 beltportions may be joined at seams 40, forming a pant structure having legopenings, front waist edge 13 and rear waist edge 19. In this way, thepant 12 may comprises a pre-formed, continuous waist opening andpre-formed, continuous leg openings for the wearer at the time ofdonning the pant 12.

Features of the absorbent article are described in further detail below.

Topsheet

The topsheet 24 is generally a portion of the absorbent article 10 thatmay be positioned at least in partial contact or close proximity to awearer. Suitable topsheets 24 may be manufactured from a wide range ofmaterials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plasticfilms; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cottonfibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), ora combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The topsheet 24 isgenerally supple, soft feeling, and non-irritating to a wearer's skin.Generally, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 is liquid pervious,permitting liquid to readily penetrate through the thickness of thetopsheet 24. One topsheet 24 useful herein is available from BBAFiberweb, Brentwood, Tenn. as supplier code 055SLPV09U. The topsheet 24may be apertured.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion or skin carecomposition as is known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitablelotions include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,760; 5,609,587;5,635,191; and 5,643,588. The specific examples are not limiting, as anylotion or skin care composition known in the art may be utilized. Thetopsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticized or may beforeshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 andthe core 28. Exemplary structures including elasticized or foreshortenedtopsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,892,536;4,990,147; 5,037,416; and 5,269,775.

Absorbent Core

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorbent core 28 is the component of theabsorbent article having the most absorbent capacity and comprising anabsorbent material and a core wrap or core bag (used interchangeablyherein) enclosing absorbent material 280. The term “absorbent core” doesnot include the acquisition and/or distribution system 30 or any othercomponents of the article which are not either integral part of the corewrap 282 or placed within the core wrap 282. The absorbent core 28 maycomprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, a core wrap 282, anabsorbent material (e.g., superabsorbent polymers) 280, and optionallyone or more adhesives 281.

By “absorbent material,” it is meant a material which has someabsorbency property or liquid retaining properties, such assuperabsorbent polymer material (“SAP”), cellulosic fibers as well assynthetic fibers. Typically, glues used in making absorbent cores haveno or little absorbency properties and are not considered as absorbentmaterial. The SAP content may be higher than 80%, for example at least85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, and even up to andincluding 100% of the weight of the absorbent material 280 containedwithin the core wrap 282. This provides a relatively thin core comparedto a conventional core typically comprising between 40-60% SAP and highcontent of cellulose fibers. However, conventional cores are also withinthe scope of the present disclosure. The absorbent material 280 maycomprise about 15% weight percent or less, or about 10% weight percentor less, or about 5% weight percent or less, or about 3% weight percentor less, or about 2% weight percent or less, or about 1% weight percentor less of, or no more than an immaterial amount of, or no cellulosicfibers. It should be understood that an immaterial amount of cellulosicmaterial does not materially affect at least one of the thinness,flexibility, and absorbency of the portion of the absorbent core that issubstantially cellulose free. Among other benefits, it is believed thatwhen at least a portion of the absorbent core is substantially cellulosefree, this portion of the absorbent core is significantly thinner andmore flexible than a similar absorbent core that includes more than 10%by weight of cellulosic fibers.

“Superabsorbent polymers” (“SAP”) as used herein refer to absorbentmaterial which are cross-linked polymeric materials that can absorb atleast 10 times their weight of an aqueous 0.9% saline solution asmeasured using the Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC) test (EDANAmethod WSP 241.2-05E). The SAP used may have a CRC value of more than 20g/g, more than 24 g/g, from 20 to 50 g/g, from 20 to 40 g/g, or from 24to 30 g/g, specifically reciting all 0.1 g/g increments within theabove-specified ranges and any ranges created therein or thereby. TheSAP useful with the present disclosure may include a variety ofwater-insoluble, but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing largequantities of fluids. The SAP may be typically in particulate forms(superabsorbent polymer particles), but it not excluded that other formsof SAP may be used such as a superabsorbent polymer foam for example.The absorbent core may thus be relatively thin, in particular thinnerthan conventional cores comprising cellulosic fibers.

The SAP useful for the present invention may be of numerous shapes,including in particles. The term “particles” refers to granules, fibers,flakes, spheres, powders, platelets and other shapes and forms known topersons skilled in the art of superabsorbent polymer particles. In someembodiments, the SAP particles can be in the shape of fibers, i.e.elongated, acicular superabsorbent polymer particles. In thoseembodiments, the superabsorbent polymer particles fibers have a minordimension (i.e. diameter of the fiber) of less than about 1 mm, usuallyless than about 500 μm, and preferably less than 250 μm down to 50 μm.The length of the fibers is preferably about 3 mm to about 100 mm. Thefibers can also be in the form of a long filament that can be woven.

Typically, SAP are spherical-like particles. In contrast to fibers,“spherical-like particles” have a longest and a smallest dimension witha particulate ratio of longest to smallest particle dimension in therange of 1-5, where a value of 1 would equate a perfectly sphericalparticle and 5 would allow for some deviation from such a sphericalparticle. The superabsorbent polymer particles may have a particle sizeof less than 850 μm, or from 50 to 850 μm, preferably from 100 to 710μm, more preferably from 150 to 650 μm, as measured according to EDANAmethod WSP 220.2-05. SAP having a relatively low particle size help toincrease the surface area of the absorbent material which is in contactwith liquid exudates and therefore support fast absorption of liquidexudates.

The SAP may have a particle sizes in the range from 45 μm to 4000 μm,more specifically a particle size distribution within the range of from45 μm to about 2000 μm, or from about 100 μm to about 1000, 850 or 600μm. The particle size distribution of a material in particulate form canbe determined as it is known in the art, for example by means of drysieve analysis (EDANA 420.02 “Particle Size distribution).

In some embodiments herein, the superabsorbent material is in the formof particles with a mass medium particle size up to 2 mm, or between 50microns and 2 mm or to 1 mm, or preferably from 100 or 200 or 300 or 400or 500 μm, or to 1000 or to 800 or to 700 μm; as can for example bemeasured by the method set out in for example EP-A-0,691,133. In someembodiments of the invention, the superabsorbent polymer material is inthe form of particles whereof at least 80% by weight are particles of asize between 50 μm and 1200 μm and having a mass median particle sizebetween any of the range combinations above. In addition, or in anotherembodiment of the invention, said particles are essentially spherical.In yet another or additional embodiment of the invention thesuperabsorbent polymer material has a relatively narrow range ofparticle sizes, e.g. with the majority (e.g. at least 80% or preferablyat least 90% or even at least 95% by weight) of particles having aparticle size between 50 μm and 1000 μm, preferably between 100 μm and800 μm, and more preferably between 200 μm and 600 μm.

The absorbent polymer particles can be selected among polyacrylates andpolyacrylate based materials that are internally and/or surfacecross-linked, such as for example partially neutralized cross-linkedpolyacrylates or acid polyacrylate. Examples of absorbent polymerparticles suitable in the present disclosure are described for instancein the PCT Patent Application WO 07/047598, WO 07/046052, WO2009/155265and WO2009/155264. Particulate absorbent polymer materials may be madeof poly(meth)acrylic acid polymers. However, starch-based particulateabsorbent polymer material may also be used, as well as polyacrylamidecopolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linkedcarboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linkedpolyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile.

The absorbent core may comprise one or more types of SAP. Suitable SAPmay for example be obtained from inverse phase suspensionpolymerizations as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,340,706 and 5,849,816or from spray- or other gas-phase dispersion polymerizations asdescribed in US Patent Applications No. 2009/0192035, 2009/0258994 and2010/0068520. In some embodiments, suitable SAP may be obtained byprocesses described in WO 2006/083584.

For most absorbent articles, liquid discharges from a wearer occurpredominately in the front half of the absorbent article. The front halfof the article (as defined by the region between the front edge 13 andthe lateral centerline 110) may therefore comprise most of the absorbentcapacity of the core. Thus, at least 60% of the SAP, or at least 65%,70%, 75%, 80%, or 85% of the SAP may be present in the front half of theabsorbent article, while the remaining SAP may be disposed in the rearhalf of the absorbent article. Alternatively, the SAP distribution maybe uniform through the core or may have other suitable distributions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent material 280 may be disposed on asupporting sheet 286 forming an absorbent layer 288. In someembodiments, the core 28 further comprises a second layer 288′comprising a second supporting sheet 286′ having absorbent material 280deposited thereon. The second absorbent layer may be identical to thefirst absorbent layer or different (e.g., having different channels,different number of channels, different adhesive, different adhesiveapplication or combinations thereof).

The supporting sheet 286 may surround the absorbent material to form thecore wrap 282, or two supporting sheets 286, 286′ may be joined to formthe core wrap 282 as shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the core wrap282 may comprise a top layer generally forming the top side of the core28 and a bottom layer generally forming the bottom side of the core 28.The top and bottom layers may be formed by two separate substrates(e.g., the supporting sheets 286, 286′) which may be the same ordifferent material (the top layer being for example hydrophillicallytreated and/or the bottom layer being for example inherently hydrophobicbut air-permeable). There may be a seal along the front edge and backedge of the core wrap 282 for better containment of the absorbentmaterial 280 but many cores do not have such transversal seals. In someembodiments, the top and bottom layer can be attached by gluing orotherwise to form at least one C-wrap seal along each of thelongitudinally-extending side edges of the core. However, any otherknown core wrap constructions may also be used, for example wherein thecore wrap is formed of a single web wrapped around the absorbentmaterial with one single longitudinal seal.

The core wrap 282 may be formed by any materials suitable for receivingand containing the absorbent material. Typical substrate materials usedin the production of conventional cores may be used, in particularpaper, tissues, films, wovens or nonwovens, or laminate of any of these.The core wrap may in particular be formed by a nonwoven web, such as acarded nonwoven, spunbond nonwoven (“S”) or meltblown nonwoven (“M”),and laminates of any of these. For example spunmelt polypropylenenonwovens are suitable, in particular those having a laminate web SMS,or SMMS, or SSMMS, structure, and having a basis weight range of about 5gsm to 15 gsm. Suitable materials are for example disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,744,576, US2011/0268932A1, US2011/0319848A1 or US2011/0250413A1.Nonwoven materials provided from synthetic fibers may be used, such asPE, PET and in particular PP.

Returning to FIG. 3, the core wrap 282 comprises a maximum length,L_(CW), extending between a first core wrap lateral edge 290 and asecond core wrap lateral edge 291. The core wrap may further comprisetwo longitudinal edges 292, 293. For the avoidance of doubt, “edge” asused herein means the most outermost portion of the component. Thus, forcomponents such as the core wrap which may form a three-dimensionalstructure, the edges are those that are the outside perimeter limits ofthe component—not merely where the component changes surface elevations.The core wrap further comprises a core wrap area, A_(CW), which is thetwo-dimensional mathematical area within the core wrap perimeter.

The absorbent material 280 defines an absorbent material deposition area284 as seen from above within the plane of the core 28 as shown on FIG.3. The absorbent material deposition area 284 can be generallyrectangular, for example as shown in FIG. 3, but other shapes can alsobe used such as a “T” or “Y” or “sand-hour” or “dog-bone” shape. Inparticular the deposition area may show a tapering along its width atthe crotch region 16. In this way, the absorbent material depositionarea 284 may have a relatively narrow width in an area of the core 280intended to be placed in the crotch region. This may provide for examplebetter wearing comfort.

The absorbent material deposition area 284 may be defined by a firstabsorbent area lateral edge 294, a second absorbent area lateral edge295 that is substantially opposite the first absorbent area lateraledge, a first absorbent area longitudinal edge 296 and a secondabsorbent area longitudinal edge 297 that is substantially opposite thefirst absorbent area longitudinal edge. The absorbent materialdeposition area further comprises a maximum length, L_(AB), extendingbetween the first and second absorbent area lateral edges. The absorbentmaterial deposition area may further comprise an absorbent area, A_(AB),which is the two-dimensional mathematical area within the perimeter ofthe absorbent material deposition area. For the avoidance of doubt, theabsorbent material deposition area may be any suitable shape, includingnon-rectangular shapes. As such, the absorbent area is determinedaccording to known mathematical area calculations for determining thearea of a shape. In some embodiments, the maximum length of theabsorbent area, L_(AB), is less than or equal to the length of the corewrap, L_(CW). Likewise, the absorbent area, A_(AB), may be less than orequal to the core wrap area, A_(CW).

In some embodiments (illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4), the absorbent core28 may comprise one or more channels 29 that are substantially free of(e.g., free of) superabsorbent polymer material in an absorbent layer288. It should be understood that, accidentally, a small, negligibleamount of superabsorbent polymer particles may be present in thechannel, which does not contribute to the overall functionality.Hereinafter, the following the plural form “channels” will be used tomean “at least one channel”.

The channels may be formed by zones within the absorbent materialdeposition area which may be substantially free of absorbent material280, in particular SAP. In addition or alternatively, the channel(s) mayalso be formed by continuously or discontinuously bonding the top sideof the core wrap to the bottom side of the core wrap through theabsorbent material deposition area. The channels may be continuous, butit is not excluded that the channels are intermittent. In embodimentswhere the absorbent layer 288 comprises cellulosic or cellulose, thechannels 29 also may be free of such cellulosic/cellulose material.Further, the channels 29 may extend through the thickness (height) ofthe absorbent layer 288.

The channels 29 may extend substantially longitudinally, which meanstypically that the channels 29 extend more in the longitudinal dimensionthan in the transverse dimension, and typically at least twice as muchin the longitudinal dimension than in the transverse dimension. Thus,this includes channels 29 that are substantially parallel to thelongitudinal centerline 100; and this includes channels 29 that may becurved, provided the radius of curvature is typically at least equal tothe average transverse dimension of the absorbent layer (optionally atleast 1.5 or at least 2.0 times this average transverse dimension); andthis includes channels 29 that are straight but under an angle of fromabout 5° to about 30°, or up to about 20°, or up to about 10° with aline parallel to the longitudinal centerline 100. This may also includechannels with an angle therein, provided said angle between two parts ofa channel is at least 120°, at least 150°; and in any of these cases,provided the longitudinal extension of the channel is more than thetransverse extension. In some embodiments, there may be no completely orsubstantially transverse channels present in at least said crotch region16, or no such channels at all.

The channels 29 may be present at least in the crotch region 16. Thechannels may also extend from the crotch region or be present in one orboth waist regions. The core 28 may comprise two or more channels 29. Insome embodiments, the core 28 may comprise one or more pairs of channelssymmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal axis 100.

In some embodiments, there is no channel that coincides with thelongitudinal axis 100. When present as symmetrical pairs relative to thelongitudinal axis, the channels may be spaced apart from one anotherover their whole longitudinal dimension. The smallest spacing distancemay be for example at least 5 mm, or at least 10 mm, or at least 16 mm.Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of fluid leakages, the channels29 typically do not extend up to any of the edges of the absorbentmaterial deposition area, and are therefore fully encompassed within theabsorbent material deposition area 284. Typically, the smallest distancebetween a channel and the closest edge of the absorbent materialdeposition area is at least 5 mm.

At least some or all the channels are advantageously permanent channels,meaning their integrity is at least partially maintained both in the drystate and in the wet state. Permanent channels may be obtained byprovision of one or more adhesive materials or other bonding techniqueto adhere for example a supporting layer 286 within the walls of thechannel. Permanent channels may be also in particular formed by bondingthe top side and bottom side of the core wrap (e.g. first substrate 286and the second substrate 286′) together through the channels. Typically,an adhesive can be used to bond both sides of the core wrap through thechannels, but it is possible to bond via other known means, such aspressure bonding, ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding or combinationthereof. The core wrap can be continuously bonded or intermittentlybonded along the channels. In further embodiments, a channel may bevisible through the topsheet and/or through the backsheet. In someembodiments, the channels are visible when viewing the topsheet 24 priorto use. In further embodiments, the channels are visible when viewingthe backsheet and/or when viewing the topsheet after the article loadedwith a fluid as disclosed in the Wet Channel Saturation Test herein.This may be obtained by making the channels substantially free of SAP,so they will not swell, and sufficiently large so that they will notclose when wet. Furthermore bonding the core wrap to itself through thechannels may be advantageous. By visible, it is meant that the channelsare recognizable by the human eye having 20/20 vision by their shape,outline, changes in the structure of the article (e.g., indentationsand/or protuberances form), or otherwise.

Where channels 29 are present in more than one absorbent layer, saidchannels may be aligned as in FIG. 4 or may not be aligned. Theacquisition-distribution system 30 or any sub-layer between topsheet 24and absorbent core 28, or another layer of the article, may alsocomprise channels, which may or not correspond to the channels of theabsorbent core.

The total amount of SAP present in the absorbent core may also varyaccording to expected user. The amount of SAP in the core may be fromabout 5 to about 50 g, or from about 5 to 20 g, specifically recitingall 0.1 increments within the specified ranges and any ranged formedtherein or thereby. The average SAP basis weight within the (or “atleast one”, if several are present) deposition area 284 of the SAP maybe at least 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 g/m² or more. The areas of thechannels 29 present in the absorbent material deposition area 284 arededucted from the absorbent material deposition area to calculate thisaverage basis weight.

The basis weight (amount deposited per unit of surface) of the SAP mayalso be varied along the deposition area 284 to create a profileddistribution of absorbent material, in particular SAP, in thelongitudinal direction, in the transversal direction, or both directionsof the core. Hence along the longitudinal axis of the core, the basisweight of absorbent material may vary, as well as along the transversalaxis, or any axis parallel to any of these axes. The basis weight of SAPin area of relatively high basis weight may thus be for example at least10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50% higher than in an area of relativelylow basis weight. In particular the SAP present in the absorbentmaterial deposition area in one or more portions of the crotch regionmay have more SAP per unit of surface deposited as compared to anotherarea of the absorbent material deposition area 284.

The article 10 may have a total absorbent capacity of about 150 g orgreater, or about 200 g or greater, or about 250 g or greater asmeasured by CRC method referenced above.

Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 28 aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402; 4,834,735; 4,888,231;5,137,537; 5,147,345; 5,342,338; 5,260,345; 5,387,207; 5,397,316, andU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/491,642 and 62/210,100

Backsheet

The backsheet 26 is generally positioned such that it may be at least aportion of the garment-facing surface of the absorbent article 10.Backsheet 26 may be designed to prevent the exudates absorbed by andcontained within the absorbent article 10 from soiling articles that maycontact the absorbent article 10, such as bed sheets and undergarments.In certain embodiments, the backsheet 26 is substantiallywater-impermeable. Suitable backsheet 26 materials include films such asthose manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. andsold under the trade names X15306, X10962, and X10964. Other suitablebacksheet 26 materials may include breathable materials that permitvapors to escape from the absorbent article 10 while still preventingexudates from passing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathablematerials may include materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs,composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporousfilms such as manufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under thedesignation ESPOIR NO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, Tex.,under the designation EXXAIRE. Suitable breathable composite materialscomprising polymer blends are available from Clopay Corporation,Cincinnati, Ohio under the name HYTREL blend P18-3097. Such breathablecomposite materials are described in greater detail in PCT ApplicationNo. WO 95/16746 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823. Other breathable backsheetsincluding nonwoven webs and apertured formed films are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,571,096. An exemplary, suitable backsheet is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,107,537. Other suitable materials and/or manufacturingtechniques may be used to provide a suitable backsheet 26 including, butnot limited to, surface treatments, particular film selections andprocessing, particular filament selections and processing, etc.

Backsheet 26 may also consist of more than one layer as shown forexample in FIG. 6. The backsheet 26 may comprise an outer cover 260 anda barrier layer 262. The outer cover 262 may be made of a soft, nonwovenmaterial. The barrier layer 262 may be made of a substantiallyliquid-impermeable film, such as a polymeric film. The outer cover and abarrier layer may be joined together by one or more bonds 261, which maybe formed by adhesive or any other suitable material or method. Aparticularly suitable outer cover is available from Corovin GmbH, Peine,Germany as supplier code A18AH0, and a particularly suitable barrierlayer is available from RKW Gronau GmbH, Gronau, Germany as suppliercode PGBR4 WPR.

In some embodiments where the article 10 comprises a waist feature 32,the outer cover 260 extends beyond the chassis to cover portions of thewaist feature 32 or the entirety of the waist feature 32. In furtherembodiments, the perimeter of the barrier layer 262 may define theperimeter of the chassis 20. In embodiments comprising a single-layerbacksheet, the perimeter of the backsheet 26 may define the perimeter ofthe chassis 20.

Returning to FIG. 3, the barrier layer 262 may comprise a maximumbarrier layer length, L_(BS), extending between the first lateral edge263 of the barrier layer and the second lateral edge 264 of the barrierlayer. The barrier layer 262 may further comprise two opposinglongitudinal edges 265, 266. In further embodiments, the barrier layercomprises a barrier layer area, A_(BS), which is the two-dimensionalmathematical area within the barrier layer perimeter. In embodimentscomprising a single-layer backsheet, liquid impermeable area of thebacksheet is used when determining the barrier layer length, L_(BS), andarea, A_(BS). In some embodiments, the maximum length of the barrierlayer, L_(BS), is about 90% or less, or about 80% or less, or about 75%or less, or from about 50% to about 90%, or from about 60 to about 80%of the maximum length of the article, reciting for each range every 5%increment therein.

While a variety of backsheet configurations are contemplated herein, itwould be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changesand modifications can be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

Waist Feature

As shown in various figures, the absorbent article 10 may include atleast one waist feature 32 attached to the chassis 20. The waist feature32 may comprise breathable materials, permitting air and/or vapors tomove through the waist feature and thereby increasing comfort for thewearer. In some embodiments, the waist feature is breathable and is, insome embodiments, more breathable than the backsheet. In nonlimitingexamples, the waist feature is at least twice as breathable, or at least5 times as breathable, or about 10 times as breathable, or about 100× asbreathable or from about 2× to about 200×, or about 5× to about 100× asbreathable as the backsheet, reciting for each range every 2 incrementtherein. The waist feature 32 may be water permeable. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the waist feature is apertured.Alternatively, the waist feature 32 may be water impermeable.

The waist feature 32 may be disposed on the body facing side of thechassis or a body facing side of a layer of the chassis 20 (see FIG. 8).Alternatively, the waist feature 32 may be disposed on the garmentfacing side of the chassis (see FIG. 2) or a garment facing side of alayer of the chassis 20. In another embodiment, the waist feature 32 maybe disposed between layers of the chassis or around layers of thechassis as shown in FIGS. 5-6.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the waist feature 32 may comprise anonwoven, a film, a laminate of nonwovens and/or films, or combinationsthereof. In one embodiment, the waist feature 32 comprises a single,continuous web of material and may be formed by folding the single,continuous web. In other embodiments, the waist feature(s) 32 may beformed from more than one web of material (e.g., multiple webs ofmaterial that are joined together to become one web of material, ormultiple distinct webs of material that are separate from the disposableabsorbent article chassis and form part of the waist feature). Inembodiments comprising a laminate, an inner layer may be a formed form adifferent web of material than that of the outer layer. The componentmaterials in the distinct webs may be the same or they may be different.In some embodiments, neither the inner layer nor the outer layer isintegral with the chassis (i.e., the waist feature is discrete from thechassis).

In some embodiments, the waist feature 32 is disposed on multiplesurfaces of the chassis or layers within the chassis. For example, thewaist feature may comprise a garment-facing portion 320 that overlaps aportion of the chassis and/or a body-facing portion 322 that overlaps aportion of the chassis. The waist feature may comprise two separate websof material which sandwich the chassis, or one web of material which isfolded such that it wraps around the chassis (FIG. 5) or layers withinthe chassis (FIG. 6). The waist feature may at least partially surroundthe core. In certain embodiments, the waist feature is folded to atleast partially surround the core.

The waist feature 32 includes an inboard lateral edge 324, an outboardlateral edge 326, and two longitudinal edges 327, 328 as shown forexample in FIGS. 2 and 3. In embodiments where the waist featurecomprises a belt, each belt portion 36, 38 may comprise an inboardlateral edge 324, an outboard lateral edge 326, and two longitudinaledges 327, 328. The belt portions may have one or more dimensions thatare the same and/or one or more dimensions that differ. The waistfeature, including belt portions, may comprises any suitable shape,including but not limited to rectangular, non-rectangular, and/ortapered shapes.

The outboard lateral edge 326 may be disposed a longitudinal distance Eaway from a proximate barrier lateral edge as shown in FIG. 3. Innonlimiting examples, E is about 10 mm or greater, or about 15 mm orgreater, or about 20 mm or greater, or about 20 mm to about 100 mm,reciting for said range every 5 mm increment therein. The waist featuremay comprise a length, L_(W), extending between its inboard lateral edgeand its outboard lateral edge. In some embodiments, for example in tapeddiaper embodiments, the waist feature length, L_(W), may be about 15 mmor greater, or about 20 mm or greater, or about 25 mm or greater, orabout 30 or greater, or from about 15 mm to about 150 mm, or from about30 mm to about 100 mm, reciting for each range every 5 mm incrementtherein. In further embodiments, for example in absorbent pantembodiments, the waist feature length, L_(W), may be about 75 mm orgreater, or about 100 mm or greater, or from about 50 mm to about 250mm, or from about 75 mm to about 200 mm. The periphery of the waistfeature (e.g., the lateral and longitudinal edges) defines a waistfeature area, A_(WF) (i.e., the mathematical, two-dimensional area ofthe waist feature). The area of belt portions (A_(WF), A_(WF)′) may bethe same or may differ. Front and rear belt portions may have the sameor different L_(W), L_(W)′. In some embodiments having a belt, the rearbelt portion 38 may have a greater length, L_(W)′, than the length ofthe front belt portion 36, L_(W). This may help provide greater coverageof the wearer's buttocks area in the rear while providing greatercomfort in front, via better conformity with wearer anatomy and naturalbody movement. Further, front and rear belt portions may be disposed atthe same or at different distance from their respective proximatebarrier lateral edges (i.e., E may equal E′ or E may be different fromE′).

In an embodiment, the waist feature 32 comprises a waist feature pocket33 as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The pocket 33 may be formed from aportion of the waist feature 32 that is unattached from the chassis 20.

Turning to FIG. 7, the waist feature 32 may comprise a belt 34, whichmay have front and rear belt portions 36, 38. The front and rear beltportions 36, 38 may be the outermost structures forming the front andrear regions of a pant 12. The pant may include an outer wrap 42wrapping the entirety of the front, crotch and rear regions, and formingan outermost pant-shaped structure. In some embodiments, the outer cover260 of the backsheet forms the outer wrap. Additional layer(s) andelastic members 43 to form front and rear belt portions 36, 38 may bedisposed to the inside of outer wrap 42, and be suitably affixed theretoby adhesive lamination, bonding or any other suitable mechanism. Anouter wrap 42 may be formed of one or more sections of nonwoven web andmay be cut to a profile providing suitably tailored leg opening edgeprofiles as desired.

The waist feature 32, including one or both of front and rear beltportions 36, 38, may be formed of layers of nonwoven web. Suitablenonwoven web materials that may be useful in the present invention alsoinclude, but are not limited to spunbond, spunlaid, meltblown, spunmelt,solvent-spun, electrospun, carded, film fibrillated, melt-filmfibrillated, air-laid, dry-laid, wet-laid staple fibers, and othernonwoven web materials formed in part or in whole of polymer fibers, asknown in the art. The nonwoven web may be formed predominately ofpolymeric fibers. In some examples, suitable nonwoven fiber materialsmay include, but are not limited to polymeric materials such aspolyolefins, polyesters, polyamide, or specifically, polypropylene (PP),polyethylene (PE), poly-lactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate(PET) and/or blends thereof. In some examples, the fibers may be formedof PP/PE blends such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,392. Nonwovenfibers may be formed of, or may include as additives or modifiers,components such as aliphatic polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides,or other biopolymers. Further useful nonwovens, fiber compositions,formations of fibers and nonwovens and related methods are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,645,569; 6,863,933; and 7,112,621; and in U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/338,603; 10/338,610; and Ser. No. 13/005,237.The individual fibers of a nonwoven layer may be monocomponent ormulticomponent (including bicomponent). The multicomponent fibers may bebicomponent, with differing polymeric components in, e.g., acore-and-sheath or side-by-side arrangement. The individual componentsmay include polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or theircopolymers, or polyesters, thermoplastic polysaccharides or otherbiopolymers.

According to some nonlimiting examples, the nonwoven used for a beltportion may include a material that provides good recovery when externalpressure is applied and removed. Further the nonwoven may include ablend of different fibers selected, for example from the types ofpolymeric fibers described above. In some examples, at least a portionof the fibers may exhibit a spiral curl which has a helical shape.According to one example, the fibers may include bicomponent fibers,which are individual fibers each including different materials, usuallya first and a second polymeric material. It is believed that the use ofside-by-side bi-component fibers is beneficial for imparting a spiralcurl to the fibers. Examples of potentially suitable curled or “crimped”bicomponent fibers and nonwovens formed from them are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,382,400; 5,418,045; 5,707,468; 6,454,989; 6,632,386;5,622,772 and 7,291,239. For purposes herein, use of a nonwoven formedof crimped bicomponent or multicomponent fibers such as, for example,described in the patents and/or patent applications cited immediatelyabove, may be desired as one or more layers used to form the beltportions, because they can feel particularly soft to the touch (forwearer comfort on the inside and aesthetically pleasing feel on theoutside) and are generally quite pliable.

The waist feature 32 may further comprise one or more elastic members43. The elastic members 43 may be elastomeric fibers, such as LYCRA®fibers available from INVISTA of Wichita, Kans., in various decitexlevels. The elastic members 43 may also comprise any heat shrinkableelastic material as is well known in the art. Other suitable elasticscan be made various other materials including but not limited to:rubbers, styrene ethylbutylene styrene, styrene ethylene propylenestyrene, styrene ethylene ethylene propylene styrene, styrene butadienestyrene, styrene isoprene styrene, polyolefin elastomers, elastomericpolyurethanes, and other elastomeric materials known in the art, andcombinations thereof. In some nonlimiting examples, the elastic membersmay be extruded strand elastics with any number of strands (orfilaments). In some embodiments, the elastic members can have a decitexranging from 50 to 2000, or any integer value for any decitex value inthis range. However, the skilled person may select the appropriatedecitex based on the desired contraction and other principles discussedherein. In further embodiments, the elastic members may be in a form offilm. Examples of films have been described in prior patent applications(see, for example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2010/0040826). The film maybe created with a variety of resins combined in at least one of severalsublayers, the latter providing different benefits to the film.

In addition, elastic members 43 may take a multitude of configurations.For example, the width may be varied; a single strand or severalparallel or non-parallel strands of elastic material may be used; or avariety of shapes may be used including rectilinear and curvilinear; ora variety of cross sectional shapes can be used (circular, rectangular,square, etc.).

Layers of the waist feature 32 and/or chassis 20 may be joined togetherabout elastic strands 43 by adhesive deposited between the layers, bythermal bonds, by compression bonds, or by a combination thereof. Inother examples, the one or more elastic members may be strips or asection of film formed of elastomeric material. Where the elastic memberis elongate, it may be desirable that the longer dimension be laterallyoriented, or even substantially aligned with the lateral direction, asstrands 43 are depicted in FIG. 7 for example.

The waist feature 32 may comprise at least 3 waist elastic members 43,at least 5 elastic members 43, at least 10 waist elastic members 43, orat least 15 waist elastic members 43, or from about 2 to about 35 waistelastic members, or from about 5 to about 25 waist elastic members,reciting for each range every 1 increment therein.

In one embodiment, adjacent elastic members 43 are spaced a longitudinaldistance of at least 3.5 mm apart from one edge of the member to theother edge of the member, optionally at least 4 mm apart; optionally atleast 4.5 mm apart; optionally at least 5 mm apart; optionally at least5.5 mm apart; optionally at least 6 mm apart; optionally at least 6.5 mmapart; optionally at least 7 mm apart; optionally at least 7.5 mm apart;optionally at least 8 mm apart; optionally at least 8.5 mm apart;optionally at least 9 mm apart; optionally at least 9.5 mm apart;optionally at least 10 mm apart; optionally at least 10.5 mm apart;optionally at least 11 mm apart; optionally at least 11.5 mm apart;optionally at least 12 mm apart. The spacing between elastic members maybe the same or different across the longitudinal length of the waistfeature. For example, the spacing between adjacent elastic members coulduniformly be 7 mm or there could be variable spacing (i.e., two adjacentelastic members are separated by 3 mm, another two are separated by 6.5mm, etc.).

During manufacture of the waist feature, the elastic members 43 may bepre-strained by a desired amount as they are being incorporated into thewaist feature. Upon subsequent relaxation of the waist feature, theelastic members will contract laterally toward their unstrained lengths.This may cause layers of the waist feature to gather and form ruffles orrugosities having ridges and valleys generally transverse to the lengthsof the elastic members 43, and extending in the z-direction.

In further embodiments, to adhere the components of the waist featurelaminate, the elastic members may be individually coated with adhesive(“strand coated”) prior to incorporation into the waist laminate.Various coating methods and techniques, including strand coating methodsand techniques, are shown for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,340,648;5,501,756; 5,507,909; 6,077,375; 6,200,635; 6,235,137; 6,361,634;6,561,430; 6,520,237; 6,582,518; 6,610,161; 6,613,146, 6,652,693,6,719,846 and 6,737,102. The adhesive used may be a hot-melt typeadhesive having elasticity and flexibility making it suitable forattaching pre-strained elastic materials to substrates, such as OMNIMELTBLOCKS 22 H2401F, or ZEROCREEP brands such as AVANCE, available fromBostik, Inc., Wauwatosa, Wis.

In certain embodiments, corners of the front and/or rear belt portionmay be trimmed off as suggested in FIG. 7. The corners may be trimmedoff along straight lines, or may be trimmed off along trim paths thatare curved and either concave or convex with respect to the remainingarea of the belt portion (see FIG. 7), as may be desired to impart aparticular curved leg edge profile. In conjunction with such trimmingand the configuration of elastic strands described above, it may bedesired to impart bonding between layers along edges of the respectivebelt portion 36, 38. Such bonding may serve to prevent any separation ofthe layers along edges that may contribute to creating a raggedappearance, and may also help the rear belt portion more effectivelydraw inward laterally toward the central chassis 20, under thecontractive force of the elastic strands below seams 40. Bonding may beeffected by mechanical/compression bonds as described in, for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,984 and 4,919,738, by thermal bonds or welds, or bydeposits of adhesive between layers. In nonlimiting examples, suchbonding may form a pattern along edges. Such bonding may be supplementalto any bonding between layers generally holding the respective beltportion 36, 38 together as a laminate structure.

Side seams 40 may be permanent or refastenable. Permanent seams may beformed between the front belt portion and the rear belt portion by anybonding mechanism wherein the front and rear belt portions may not beforcibly separated without substantial damage to one or both of thefront and rear belt portions, or without any included mechanism by whichsubstantial reattachment or refastening may be effected. Bonding formingpermanent seams may include compression bonding, thermal bonding/welds,ultrasonic bonding or adhesive bonding. Refastenable seams may be formedbetween the front belt portion and the rear belt portion by anymechanism configured to permit substantially non-destructive forcibleseparation of the front and rear belt portions, and subsequentsubstantial reattachment or refastening at the same locations. Oneexample of such mechanism is a hook-and-loop fastening system, forexample, a VELCRO fastening system. A suitably sized and shaped hookscomponent may be bonded to one of the front or rear belt portions alongthe longitudinal edges thereof, and a suitably sized and shaped loopscomponent may be bonded to the other of the front or rear belt portionsalong the longitudinal edges thereof, in positions in which they may bebrought together and engaged to form seams 40. Examples are depicted inU.S. Pat. App. Ser. Nos. 61/787,416; 61/787,332; 61/666,065.

As mentioned above in reference to FIG. 3, the outboard edge 326 of thewaist feature 32 may extend beyond a barrier layer lateral edge 263. Inthis regard, the waist feature may comprise a free portion 330 and anoverlapping portion 332 as depicted in FIG. 3. The free portion 330 maycomprises the length, E, which may be about 10 mm or greater, or about15 mm or greater, or about 20 mm or greater, or about 20 mm to about 100mm, reciting for said range every 5 mm increment therein. In someembodiments, the overlapping portion 332 may comprise a greater forcethan the free portion. Waist features designed according to the presentteachings comprise less excess material (e.g., in the backsheet andcore), which can reduce the amount of contraction force necessary whencompared to known waist features. Typically, waist features providetight elastic contact around the wearer, leading to skin irritation anddiscomfort. The decreased force in the free portion lessens the pressureexerted by elastics on the wearer, and thereby increases comfort anddecreases the potential for skin irritation. Nonlimiting examples ofways by which the force differential is created include greater appliedstrain levels on the inboard elastic member(s), greater decitex of theinboard elastic member(s), greater diameter of the inboard elasticmember(s), different base materials between inboard and outboard elasticmembers (i.e., such that an inboard elastic member has a higher Young'smodulus or stiffness), more elastic members disposed inboard thanoutboard, and closer longitudinal spacing between adjacent elasticmembers that are inboard versus elastic members disposed more outboard.

While features may be described with respect to one waist feature or onebelt portion herein, it is also contemplated that a second waist featureand/or a second belt portion may also comprise said features, includingbut not limited to free portions, overlapping portions, aforementionedlengths, elastic members, and differential force. Multiple waistfeatures and/or different belt portions may comprise substantially thesame features and/or differences amongst their features (e.g., a rearwaist portion may comprise a free portion having a greater length thanthe free portion of a front waist portion).

Ears

The absorbent article 10 may include front ears and/or back ears 50. Theears may be extensible, inextensible, elastic, or inelastic. The ears 50may be integral with the chassis and/or waist feature. Alternatively,the ears may be discrete from the chassis and/or waist feature. The ears50 may be formed from nonwoven webs, woven webs, knitted fabrics,polymeric and elastomeric films, apertured films, sponges, foams,scrims, and combinations and laminates thereof. In some embodiments, theear may include elastomers (e.g., elastic strands, LYCRA® fibers), suchthat the ear is stretchable. In certain embodiments, the ears may beformed of a stretch laminate such as a nonwoven/elastomeric materiallaminate or a nonwoven/elastomeric material/nonwoven laminate, whichalso results in the ear being stretchable. Stretch laminates may beformed by any method known in the art. For example, the ears may beformed as a zero strain stretch laminate, which includes at least alayer of nonwoven material and an elastomeric element. The elastomericelement is attached to the layer of nonwoven material while in a relaxedor substantially relaxed state, and the resulting laminate is madestretchable (or more stretchable over a further range) by subjecting thelaminate to an activation process which elongates the nonwoven layerpermanently, but the elastomeric element temporarily. The nonwoven layermay be integral with at least a portion of the chassis 20, in which casethe elastomeric element may be attached to the nonwoven layer and thenonwoven/elastomeric element laminate is subsequently activated.Alternatively, the nonwoven layer may be a separate component, in whichcase the elastomeric element is attached to the nonwoven layer to formthe laminate, which is then coupled to the main portion. If one or morelayers of the ear 50 are provided separately, the laminate may beactivated either before or after attachment to the main portion. Thezero strain activation processes is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,167,897 and 5,156,793. A suitable elastic ear may be an activatedlaminate comprising an elastomeric film (such as is available fromTredegar Corp, Richmond, Va., as supplier code X25007) disposed betweentwo nonwoven layers (such as is available from BBA Fiberweb, Brentwood,Tenn. as supplier code FPN332).

An ear 50 may be highly extensible wherein the ear 50 is capable ofextending up to 150%. It is believed that highly extensible ears 50allow an absorbent article 10 to expand to comfortably fit a range ofwearers who vary in shape and/or weight. Suitable highly extensible earsare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,116,892, 4,834,741, 5,143,679;5,156,793; 5,167,897; and 5,422,172; and 5,518,801; PCT App. No. WO2005/110731; and U.S. App. Nos. US 2004/0181200 and US 2004/0193133.

Fasteners

The absorbent article 10 may also include a fastening system 55 as shownin FIG. 8. When fastened, the fastening system 55 interconnects thefirst waist region 16 and the rear waist region 18 resulting in a waistcircumference that may encircle the wearer during wear of the absorbentarticle 10. The fastening system 55 may comprise tape tabs, hook andloop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots,buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components,although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Someexemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060; 4,946,527; 5,151,092; and5,221,274. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098. The fastening system 55 may also provide ameans for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140. The fastening system 36 may also includeprimary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,699,622. The fastening system 55 may be constructed to reduce shiftingof overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,242,436; 5,499,978; 5,507,736; and 5,591,152. In some embodiments, thefastening system 36 and/or the fastener 38 is foldable. The fasteningsystem 55 may be joined to any suitable portion of the article 10 by anysuitable means. In some embodiments, the fastening system is joined to abelt 34. In other embodiments, the fastening system is joined to an ear50.

Leg Gasketing System

The absorbent article 10 may comprise a leg gasketing system 70 attachedto the chassis 20, which may comprise one or more cuffs as shown in FIG.1 and FIG. 8. In the embodiment suggested by FIG. 8, the leg gasketingsystem may comprise a pair of barrier leg cuffs 72. Each barrier legcuff may be formed by a piece of material which is bonded to theabsorbent article so it may extend upwards from a wearer-facing surfaceof the absorbent article and provide improved containment of fluids andother body exudates approximately at the junction of the torso and legsof the wearer. The barrier leg cuffs may be delimited by a proximal edgejoined directly or indirectly to the topsheet 24 and/or the backsheet 26and a free terminal edge, which is intended to contact and form a sealwith the wearer's skin. In some embodiments, the free terminal edgecomprises a folded edge. The barrier leg cuffs 72 extend at leastpartially between the first and second lateral chassis edges 21, 22 onopposite sides of the longitudinal centerline 100 and are at leastpresent in the crotch region. The barrier leg cuffs may be joined at theproximal edge with the chassis of the article by a bond which may bemade by gluing, fusion bonding, or a combination of other suitablebonding processes. The barrier leg cuffs may be integral with thetopsheet 24 or the backsheet 26 or may be a separate material joined tothe article's chassis. Each barrier leg cuff 72 may comprise one, two ormore elastic elements 43 close to the free terminal edge to provide abetter seal.

In addition to the barrier leg cuffs 72, the article may comprisegasketing cuffs 76, which are joined to the chassis of the absorbentarticle, in particular to the topsheet 24 and/or the backsheet 26 andare placed externally relative to the barrier leg cuffs 72. Thegasketing cuffs 76 may provide a better seal around the thighs of thewearer. A gasketing cuff may comprise a proximal edge and a freeterminal edge. The free terminal edge may comprise a folded edge. Eachgasketing cuff may comprise one or more elastic elements 43 in thechassis of the absorbent article between the topsheet 24 and backsheet26 in the area of the leg openings. All, or a portion of, the barrierleg cuffs and/or gasketing cuffs may be treated with a lotion or anotherskin care composition.

In further embodiments, the leg gasketing system comprises barrier legcuffs that are integral with gasketing cuffs. Suitable leg gasketingsystems which may be part of the absorbent article are disclosed in U.S.Pat. App. No. 62/134,622, Ser. No. 14/077,708; U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,939,957;3,860,003; 7,435,243; 8,062,279.

Combination of Layers

Returning to FIG. 3, the layers of the article 10 may be combined tomaximize the use of space. For example, the layers may be combined tomaximize the amount of absorbent area and thereby the amount ofabsorbency for the size of the article.

In certain embodiments, the maximum length of the absorbent area,L_(AB), is about 80% or greater, or about 85% or greater, or about 90%or greater, or about 95% or greater of the maximum length of the barrierlayer, L_(BS). In this way, the space for absorbent material ismaximized across the length of the barrier layer. Additionally oralternatively, the maximum length of the core wrap, L_(CW), may besubstantially the same as the maximum length of the barrier layer,L_(BS), or about 80% or greater, or about 90% or greater or about 95% orgreater, or about 100% of the maximum length of the barrier layer,L_(BS). This also helps to ensure efficient and maximized placement ofthe absorbent material. In further embodiments, the absorbent area,A_(AB), is about 70% or greater, or about 80% or greater, or about 90%or greater, or from about 70% to about 100% of the barrier layer area,A_(BS), reciting for said range every 5% increment therein.Additionally, or alternatively, the area of the core wrap, A_(CW), issubstantially the same as the barrier layer area, A_(BS), or about 80%or greater, or about 90% or greater or about 95% or greater, or about100% of the barrier layer area, A_(BS).

In still further embodiments, the first absorbent area lateral edge 294is disposed a distance, D1, from the first barrier layer lateral edge263. In nonlimiting examples, D1 is about 3% or less, or about 5% orless, or about 10% or less, or from about 2% to about 15% or less of themaximum barrier layer length, L_(BS), reciting for said range every 1%increment therein. In this way, the absorbent material is placed closerto the front of the article where greater saturation is sometimes morelikely to occur. Additionally or alternatively, the second absorbentarea lateral edge 295 may be disposed a distance, D2, from the secondbarrier layer lateral edge 264. In nonlimiting examples, D2 is about 3%or less, or about 5% or less, or about 10% or less, or from about 2% toabout 15% or less of the maximum barrier layer length, L_(BS), recitingfor said range every 1% increment therein. In some embodiments, both D1and D2 are about 3% or less, or about 5% or less, or about 10% or less,or from about 2% to about 15% of the maximum barrier layer length,L_(BS), reciting for said range every 1% increment therein.

The first absorbent area lateral edge 294 may be disposed a distance,X1, from the first waist edge 13. In some nonlimiting examples, X1 isabout 100 mm or less, or about 50 mm or less, or about 30 mm or less, orabout 20 mm or less, or from about 20 mm to about 100 mm, reciting forsaid range every 10 mm increment therein. In further embodiments, thesecond absorbent area lateral edge 295 may be disposed a distance, X2,from the second waist edge 19. In some nonlimiting examples, X2 is about20 mm or less, or about 30 mm or less or about 50 mm or less, or fromabout 20 mm to about 100 mm. The distances X1 and X2 may be the same ormay be different. In some embodiments, the waist feature outboard edge326 comprises the first or second waist edge as shown in FIG. 3.

The first barrier layer lateral edge 263 may be disposed a distance Y1from the first waist edge 13 and/or the second barrier layer lateraledge 264 may be disposed a distance Y2 from the second waist edge 19. Innonlimiting examples, Y1 and/or Y2 may be about 10 mm or greater, orabout 15 mm or greater or about 20 mm or greater, or from about 10 toabout 100 mm, or from about 20 mm to about 50 mm, reciting for eachrange every 10 mm increment therein. The distances Y1 and Y2 may be thesame or may be different. In some embodiments, the waist featureoutboard edge 326 comprises the first or second waist edge as shown inFIG. 3. In such embodiments, Y1 and/or Y2 may equal E and/or E′respectively. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer lateraledge 263, 264 may be coterminous with a chassis lateral edge 21, 22. Inother embodiments, a barrier layer lateral edge is not coterminous witha chassis lateral edge.

Each of the foregoing maximizes the absorbent area within the article.The efficient use of space within the article allows for enhancedfeatures, such as channels which improve fit, without compromisingabsorbency due to the lack of absorbent material where said featuresexist. Further, the space permits greater amounts of absorbent materialto be included without creating additional bulk or density, and greatertotal absorbency. Likewise, article made according to the teachingsherein may have reduced excess backsheet materials, such as barrierlayer material; excess materials often indicate product failure, a lackof a secure fit to consumers, and/or may cause excess noise which can beundesirable for wearers, especially wearers of adult incontinencearticles. The present teachings also allow for reduction in adhesive orother bonding such as tackdown bonds used to secure leg cuffs.Typically, a leg cuff is bonded to the chassis between the core wraplateral edge and the waist edge to prevent gaps in the cuffs duringwear. Here, because the core is closer to the waist edge, a cufftackdown bond can be shortened compared to known articles or eliminated,thereby reducing processing steps and/or bonding material costs.Further, the length of the core wrap and/or the length of the absorbentdeposition area as prescribed herein may provide a visual assurance thatthe article will contain exudates. Further still, in embodimentscomprising a waist feature pocket 33, the waist feature 32 may stand upand redirect exudates to the core 28. Given the close proximity of thecore to the waist feature as disclosed herein, the core will be betterable to absorb said exudates.

In further embodiments exemplified in FIGS. 9-11, the article 10 maycomprise one or more sealing portions 210 configured to seal opposingend portions of the absorbent core 28. For example, as shown in FIG. 10,a first sealing layer 210 a may be configured to overlap the firstlateral core wrap edge 290 and the first lateral chassis edge 21. Insome embodiments, the core wrap edge 290 may be coextensive with thefirst lateral chassis edge 21. Thus, the first sealing layer 210 a maybe connected with the topsheet 24 and a portion 322 of the belt thatfaces the wearer such that the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and corewrap 282, are positioned between the inner, wearer facing portion 322and the first sealing layer 210 a. As shown in FIG. 11, a second sealinglayer 210 b may be configured to overlap the second core wrap lateraledge 291 and the second chassis lateral edge 22. In some embodiments,the second core wrap lateral edge 291, may be coextensive with thesecond chassis lateral edge 22. Thus, the second sealing layer 210 b maybe connected with the topsheet 24 and the inner, wearer facing portion322 of the elastic belt such that the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, andthe core wrap 282 are positioned between the inner, wearer facingportion 322 and the second sealing layer 210 b.

It is to be appreciated that sealing layers 210 may be formed in variousways. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first sealing layer210 a may comprise a portion of outer, garment facing portion 320 of thefirst belt portion 36 that is folded onto the topsheet 24 and placed ina facing relationship with the inner, wearer facing portion 322 of thefront belt portion 36. And the second sealing layer 210 b may comprise aportion of outer, garment facing portion 320 of the rear belt portion 38that is folded onto the topsheet 24 and placed in a facing relationshipwith the inner, wearer facing portion 322 of the rear belt portion 38.It is to be appreciated the sealing layers 210 may be bonded to theinner, wearer facing portion 322 and the topsheet 24 to help preventabsorbent material 280 from migrating or escaping longitudinally fromabsorbent core 28 from between the first and second supporting layers286, 286′ (i.e., core wrap 282) and/or from between the backsheet 26 andthe topsheet 24. As opposed to folding a portion of the front and/orrear belt portions 36, 38 to form the sealing layers, in someconfigurations, the sealing layers 210 may be formed from a separatestrip of material that is bonded to the front and/or rear belt portions.

Articles as disclosed herein may be manufactured in accordance with theteachings of the U.S. patent application filed under Attorney Docket No.14631P, which is commonly assigned to the Procter & Gamble Company.

Combinations:

-   A. An absorbent article comprising:    -   a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region        disposed between the first and second waist regions; a        longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline;    -   a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent        core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and    -   a waist feature joined to the chassis in the first and/or second        waist region and a portion extending longitudinally outboard of        the chassis in said first and/or second waist region to form a        free portion;    -   wherein:    -   the backsheet comprises a barrier layer having a maximum length,        L_(BS), extending between a first barrier lateral edge and a        second barrier lateral edge;    -   the absorbent core comprises absorbent material enclosed in a        core wrap having a maximum length, L_(CW), and wherein L_(CW) is        substantially the same as L_(BS); and    -   the absorbent material is disposed in an absorbent material        deposition area, the absorbent material deposition area having a        maximum length, L_(AB), extending between a first absorbent area        lateral edge and a second absorbent area lateral edge.-   B. An absorbent article according to paragraph A wherein L_(AB) is    about 90% or greater of L_(BS).-   C. An absorbent article according to paragraphs A or B wherein the    first absorbent area lateral edge is disposed a longitudinal    distance, D1, from the first barrier lateral edge, wherein D1 is 5%    or less of L_(BS).-   D. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the second absorbent area lateral edge is disposed a    longitudinal distance D2 from the second barrier lateral edge,    wherein D2 is 5% or less of L_(BS)-   E. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the free portion comprises a length E of about 15 mm or    greater, or about 20 or greater.-   F. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the barrier layer is breathable.-   G. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the waist feature is breathable, and optionally the waist    feature is more breathable than the barrier layer.-   H. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer    material.-   I. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    further comprising a total absorbent capacity of at least about 200    g according to the CRC test method.-   J. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the waist feature comprises a pocket.-   K. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein portions of the waist feature at least partially wrap around    the absorbent core.-   L. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the article further comprises a fastening system.-   M. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the article comprises a pant.-   N. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    further comprising a maximum length, L, and wherein the maximum    length of the barrier layer, L_(BS), is less than about 75% of L    and/or wherein the maximum length, L is about 600 mm or less.-   O. An absorbent article according any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the first absorbent area lateral edge is within about 50 mm    of the first waist edge.-   P. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the absorbent material comprises about 15% or less by weight    of cellulosic material.-   Q. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the waist feature a length, L_(W), of at least about 25 mm.-   R. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the waist feature comprises a side seam.-   S. An absorbent article according to any of the preceding paragraphs    wherein the absorbent material deposition area comprises an    absorbent area and wherein the barrier layer comprises a barrier    layer area, and wherein the absorbent area is at least about 90% of    the barrier layer area.

Test Methods Wet Channel Saturation Test

This test is designed to check the visibility of a channel following wetsaturation. The test can be performed directly on an absorbent articleor on an absorbent core taken separately.

-   -   1. The full length (in millimeters) of the channel is measured        in the dry state (if the channel is not straight, the        curvilinear length through the middle of the channel is        measured).    -   2. The absorbent article or core is then completely immersed in        a large excess (e.g. 5 liters) of synthetic urine “Saline”, with        a concentration of 9.00 g NaCl per 1000 ml solution prepared by        dissolving the appropriate amount of sodium chloride in        distilled water. The temperature of the solution must be 20+/−5°        C.    -   3. After 1 minute in the saline, the absorbent article or core        is removed and held vertically by one end for 5 seconds to        drain, then extended flat on an horizontal surface with the        wearer (topsheet) side intended to be facing the wearer facing        up. If the absorbent article or core comprises stretch elements,        it is pulled taut in both X and Y dimensions so that no        contraction is observed. The front and back edges of the        absorbent article or core are fixed to a horizontal surface, so        that no contraction can happen.    -   4. A channel is viewed by a person having 20/20 vision, aided or        unaided.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a first waistregion, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between thefirst and second waist regions; a longitudinal centerline and a lateralcenterline; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and anabsorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and awaist feature joined to the chassis in the first and/or second waistregion and having a free portion extending longitudinally outboard ofthe chassis in said first and/or second waist region such that the freeportion does not overlap the chassis; wherein: the backsheet comprises abarrier layer having a maximum length, L_(BS), extending between a firstbarrier lateral edge and a second barrier lateral edge; the absorbentcore comprises absorbent material enclosed in a core wrap, the core wraphaving a maximum length, L_(CW), and wherein L_(CW) is substantially thesame as L_(BS), the absorbent material is disposed in an absorbentmaterial deposition area; wherein the barrier layer is breathable andwherein the waist feature is breathable and comprises a greaterbreathability than the barrier layer.
 2. The absorbent article of claim1 wherein the absorbent material deposition area having a maximumlength, L_(AB), extending between a first absorbent area lateral edgeand a second absorbent area lateral edge, wherein L_(AB) is about 90% orgreater of L_(BS).
 3. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the freeportion of waist feature extends longitudinally outboard of the chassisby a minimum distance E, and where E is about 15 mm or greater.
 4. Theabsorbent article of claim 1 further comprising a total absorbentcapacity at least about 200 g according to the CRC test method herein.5. The absorbent article of claim 1 wherein the waist feature comprisesa pocket formed from a portion of the waist element that is at leastpartially unattached from the chassis.
 6. The absorbent article of claim1 wherein portions of the waist feature at least partially wrap aboutthe absorbent core.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 1 furthercomprising a fastening system.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 1wherein the absorbent article comprises a pant.
 9. The absorbent articleof claim 1 comprising a maximum length, L, and wherein the maximumlength of the barrier layer, L_(BS), is less than about 75% of L. 10.The absorbent article of claim 1 comprising a maximum length, L, andwherein L is about 600 mm or less.
 11. The absorbent article of claim 1wherein the waist feature comprises a length, L_(W), of at least about25 mm.
 12. An absorbent article comprising: a first waist region, asecond waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first andsecond waist regions; a longitudinal centerline and a lateralcenterline; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and anabsorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and awaist feature joined to the chassis in the first and/or second waistregion and having a free portion extending longitudinally outboard ofthe chassis in said first and/or second waist region such that the freeportion does not overlap the chassis; wherein: the backsheet comprises abarrier layer having a maximum length, L_(BS), extending between a firstbarrier lateral edge and a second barrier lateral edge; the absorbentcore comprises absorbent material enclosed in a core wrap, the core wraphaving a maximum length, L_(CW), and wherein L_(CW) is substantially thesame as L_(BS); and wherein portions of the waist feature at leastpartially wrap about the absorbent core.
 13. The absorbent article ofclaim 12 the absorbent material is disposed in an absorbent materialdeposition area, the absorbent material deposition area having a maximumlength, L_(AB), extending between a first absorbent area lateral edgeand a second absorbent area lateral edge, wherein L_(AB) is about 90% orgreater of L_(BS).
 14. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein thefree portion of waist feature extends longitudinally outboard of thechassis by a minimum distance E, and where E is about 15 mm or greater.15. The absorbent article of claim 12 further comprising a totalabsorbent capacity at least about 200 g according to the CRC test methodherein.
 16. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein the waist featurecomprises a pocket formed from a portion of the waist element that is atleast partially unattached from the chassis.
 17. The absorbent articleof claim 12 further comprising a fastening system.
 18. The absorbentarticle of claim 12 wherein the absorbent article comprises a pant. 19.The absorbent article of claim 12 comprising a maximum length, L, andwherein the maximum length of the barrier layer, L_(BS), is less thanabout 75% of L.
 20. The absorbent article of claim 12 comprising amaximum length, L, and wherein L is about 600 mm or less.